Graphics card for ST2

[sdf0sd658]

Hey, i've got a question with regards to my machine and how slow it is preforming. I know its an older machine to todays standards, but i think it should be able to run ST2 with no problems (except the graphics card).

Dell Precision 380
-Pentium D Dual Core 2.80GHz
-4GB RAM
-Win XP Pro (32-bit) +SP2 + updates
-Radeon X1600

I know it's my graphics card thats slowing me down, but when i contact the guys for Solid Edge, they tell me nothing less than the nVidia FX3800... a $1,000 card. Im now faced with the responsibility to find a new machine, or a new card for my company to get. Im trying to spend the least amount of money, but i can't have my computer be choppy and slow when working inside the program.

Can i upgrade to a better graphics card and get the performance i am looking for or is a new system inevitable?

NOTE: I usually have MULTIPLE programs open: excel, our data management database, email, Firefox, Solid Edge View and Markup, and another random program every once in a while.

 

[burhop]

There is a web page for system requirements here:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.c.../solidedge/overview/system_requirements.shtml

Also, here are the graphics cards for ST2

http://support.ugs.com/online_library/certification/index.php?page=3&p=pP&v1=7&v2=00284&status=ics

Many more will work but you simply can't test every card with every driver.

I hope this helps.

Mark

 

[beachcomber]

Its probably the Radeon card that will be slowing you down, although the Pentium D is getting a bit outdated now.
There is a lot of talk that paying a large amount for a 'CAD' card is a waste of money but I don't think so.
At a previous employer we had no end of trouble when using 'gaming' cards, but as soon as we chqanged to a certified card the problems virtually disappeared.
What you need will depend on what size assemblies you are opening.
At work I have an FX1700 with 512MB on board.
The top level assemblies are several thousand parts and this card struggles a bit but might be ok for you.
Amazon.com price is $340 which won't break the bank and is comparable with a lot of the higher end gaming cards.
At home I have an FX4600 (768MB) and this is much better but probably costs 3 to 4 times the FX1700.
It would certainly be worth a look.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

Where would we be without sat-nav?

 

[jheal2]

If you are buying a new computer for CAD, the Dell Precision series are very good. I have a M4300 laptop, with only 2GB of Ram, and it is now about 3 years old. As a computer, it is sometimes slow with things (must be the 2 GB of RAM and the age), but with CAD it has never been slow, or choppy or had any problems what so ever. I am gathering this is because these are the engineering computers and come with the proper graphics card right off the bat. And it also has a RS 232 port which is awesome. These computers are fairly expensive but if you are mainly using it for CAD work they work marvelously and if proper graphics cards are that much money, the computer is well worth it.